The Design Section is a playground that exercises visual/mental
creativity and behavioral precision. Once the basics are grasped, it is
necessary to explore a range of options. This is where the geometry
begins to be understood as a spatial language. It is here that many
symbols of Native and Historic America and from around the world will be
linked to specific polygons. These symbols can be found in street signs
(i.e. Stop, Yield) and in the corporate logos of advertisements, along
with revered religious symbols. Later, these same kinds of shapes will
be related to architectural models.

By way of analogy, there are exercises in English whereby students are
asked to look up the roots of common words in dictionaries to find out
where they come from and what they originally meant. Volumes such as the
Oxford Educational Dictionary are fascinating because they include
histories of a word's usage along with its root meaning. Well, the same
kind of approach is taken here, except that we are looking at spatial
"words," so to speak. Many symbols break down to specific families of
polygons, such as the Triangle-Hexagon-Dodecagon family, the
Square-Octagon family and the Pentagon-Decagon family (to be added). The
task here is to explore the design variations that a particular polygon
family can generate (Hexagon and Square subsections). Symbolic Secrets
was developed to show how familiar symbols and logos were generated from
the primary polygons.

The other dimension of this section focuses on precision because this is
the heart of all mathematical exercises that examine measure. Geometric
constructions are exquisite shapes that contain many concepts and
lessons that can be introduced on the spot. However, to take advantage
of protractor lessons and those related to proportions, some degree of
precision must be reached. Like learning to write, the motor habits of
young students must be conditioned and become almost second-nature. This
takes time. The same is true with learning how to wield a compass. From
field tests, this time can take anywhere from a day to a couple weeks
among Elementary students. For example, the time required to reach
protractor precision is probably a couple of days; for assessing
proportional constants, maybe two weeks. If dealing with Middle or High
School students, possibly a day or two.

Design exercises were found to be extremely helpful in this regard
because the focus was art, and the young minds were constantly amazed at
what the hand-eye exercises were doing. At the same time, the motor
habits became steadier and more confident while the visual cortex became
more accustomed to the built-in divisions and proportions of the shapes.
Creativity steps in when it explores all the different things that can
be tried.

And remember, everything that is shown in this section is scientifically
grounded by the rules; everything can be described mathematically. But
do not tell the children this at the beginning because you may spoil
their fun.

The Design section is broken up into four parts, with others to be added
down the road. No mathematics is required for any section, though it is
suggested for any landscaping projects you have in mind.

Hexagons and Beyond: Focuses on the Equilateral Triangle, the
Hexagon, and the 12-sided Dodecagon. The dodecagon is structurally
present on all 12-hour clockfaces, as well as Aztec calendar stones.

The Family Square introduces the variety of designs that are
available from the quartered circle, the Inner and Outer Squares and the
Octagon.

Symbolic Secrets contains examples of popular symbols and corporate
logos, and how they can be constructed. Symbols range from the Star of
David and the Yin-Yang symbol, to the triangular construct of the
Mitsubishi corporation and the CBS EYE. Hundreds more exist, and if you
find others that can be reconstructed in this way, send them in and you
will be given credit for your design detective work. And if you get good
at it, make up a portfolio and head off to Madison Avenue for a new
career!

Anything you do on paper can be taken outside and put on the ground.
While protractors and graph paper can help maintain precision for work
you do in the classroom on paper, accurate work outdoors will probably
require a basic knowledge of proportional constants. A link to this page
is provided. If you are not overly concerned with perfect accuracy, have
at it. Fun is fun. Just the idea of drawing something up in class and
building it outside will foster creativity and confidence.

Note: A Pentagon-Decagon section will be added in the future. If you are
interested in this shape and its limitless ramifications, please get
hold of an excellent book on the subject:
Mark Wahl's "A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Higher Thinking Math Tasks"
Tucson: Zephyr Press 1988